Foundations of PA

Page 1: Foundations of PA as Field of Study

  • Introduction to Public Administration (PA) as a field

Page 2: Learning Objectives

  • Gain appreciation of foundations of public administration

  • Understand politics-administration dichotomy

  • Reflect on the relevance and implications of the concept

Page 3: Context of PA as an Emerging Field

  • PA in the Philippines influenced by development in the US

  • Importance of understanding PA evolution in the US

  • Key concept: separation of politics from administration

Page 4: Historical Context of American PA

  • Anti-statist and limited government views in early US

  • US Constitution lacks explicit provisions for "administration"

  • Founders influenced by republicanism

Page 5: Key Elements of Republican Design

  • Good citizenship, morality, integrity as societal foundation

  • Emphasis on self-governance without central intervention

  • Rule of law as a basis for government authority

  • Separation of powers as a check-and-balance system

Page 6: Challenges of Limited Government

  • Economic management issues: disorganized relations, inflation

  • Inter-governmental relations for funding confederate costs

  • Foreign relations consistency and military threats

Page 7: Early US Administration Composition

  • Administered by elite individuals (gentlemen of society)

  • Democratization introduced by President Jackson

  • Political affiliation influenced federal job appointments

Page 8: Wilson and Administrative Reform

  • Wilson advocated for a science of administration

  • Creation of Civil Service Commission via Pendleton Act 1883

  • Focus on non-partisanship and improving public office efficiency

Page 9: Administration as a Science

  • Separation of administration from politics emphasized

  • Administration seen as execution of public law while politics sets tasks

Page 10: Importance of Studying Administration

  • Aim to prepare better government officials

  • Use public criticism to inform policy

  • Focus on organization and government efficiency

Page 11: Comparative Study of Administration

  • Study methods adapted from other sectors to enhance administration

  • Practical application for effective politics in governance

Page 12: Politics-Administration Dichotomy

  • Concept introduced for separation of political influence

Page 13: Wilson's Advocacy of Dichotomy

  • Advocated for separation but did not explicitly use term "dichotomy"

  • Focus on civil service reform for political change

Page 14: Classic View of the Dichotomy

  • Separation of administrative roles from partisan politics

  • Reform aimed at reducing patronage in political offices

Page 15: Utility of the Dichotomy

  • Promoted business-like governance and efficiency

  • Insulated government operations from political influences

Page 16: Professionalization of Government

  • Rationality and science promoted for effective governance

  • Structural organization for achieving efficiency

Page 17: Civil Service Reform and Dichotomy

  • 1883 reform marked beginning of professional public administration

  • Ensured political neutrality and merit-based systems

Page 18: The Dichotomy's High Point

  • Late 1920s-30s saw acceptance of the dichotomy as orthodoxy

  • Focus shifted to apolitical administration in policy-making

Page 19: Beyond Wilson - Frank Goodnow

  • Goodnow distinguished between politics and administration functions

  • PA emerged as subfield of political science

Page 20: Leonard D. White's Textbook

  • First dedicated textbook on public administration

  • Emphasized non-involvement of politics in administration

Page 21: Strategic Value of the Dichotomy

  • Legitimized public administration's role as a separate field

  • Encouraged scientific methods in administration

Page 22: Instrumental Value of Separation

  • Improved policy implementation and expertise development

  • Achieved societal values like fairness and effectiveness

Page 23: Present-Day Dichotomy Dilemma

  • Theory suggests separation of powers but not in practice

Page 24: Modern Administrative State Functions

  • Combines roles of legislature and judiciary

  • Administrative power remains largely unchecked

Page 25: Ideal Dichotomy

  • An apolitical civil service serving any government

Page 26: Reality of Political Civil Service

  • Civil servants hold significant policy influence

  • Expertise affects policy formulation and implementation

Page 27: Vague Policy Decisions

  • Conflicts and uncertainties exist in policy-making

  • Implementers often make crucial decisions

Page 28: Reflection on Political Legitimacy

  • Consider implications of political influence on administration in several contexts.